LAS VEGAS — The Atlanta Falcons managed to hold on to their lead for most of the game, including a significant advantage in the fourth quarter, but they faced a tense finish against the Raiders. Las Vegas had two attempts to score in the end zone that could have changed the outcome, but they fell short. Desmond Ridder’s initial pass was incomplete, and on his next try, Jessie Bates III intercepted the ball, allowing the Falcons to escape with a narrow 15-9 victory and maintain their position in the NFC South playoff race.
With this win, Atlanta improved to 7-7, snapping a four-game losing streak and keeping them just one game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons currently hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, adding more intensity to a tightly contested division as the season nears its conclusion.
“This is the position you want to be in, and that’s exactly where we’re at,” said Falcons coach Raheem Morris. “We’ve got a short week ahead, so we need to get back to work, identify our mistakes from this game, and secure another win.” Atlanta’s remaining schedule looks promising, with matches against teams who have a combined five wins, alongside one challenging game against the 9-5 Washington. Tampa Bay also faces a similar scenario in their final stretch of games.
On the other side, the focus for Las Vegas has shifted primarily to the implications of their poor performance this season, as they now sit at 2-12 following their tenth consecutive loss—the longest active losing streak in the league. Their record ties them with the New York Giants for the worst in the NFL and marks the fifth-longest skid in the franchise’s history, representing the team’s toughest stretch since 2013.
Kirk Cousins entered the game under scrutiny, having thrown no touchdowns and recorded eight interceptions in his last four appearances. There were speculations about rookie Michael Penix Jr. stepping in for him, but Morris decided to stick with Cousins, who had signed a hefty four-year, $180 million contract. Cousins ended up throwing for only 112 yards along with one interception, managing to score his first touchdown since early November with a 30-yard pass to Drake London late in the first quarter, giving Atlanta a 7-0 lead.
Morris acknowledged the need for Cousins to elevate his performance. “He has to play better,” the coach stated, a sentiment Cousins agreed with, admitting it was “stating the obvious.” The Falcons added two field goals courtesy of Younghoe Koo and a safety from defensive lineman Zach Harrison, showcasing a balanced yet cautious offensive effort.
Bijan Robinson stood out with an impressive rushing performance, gaining 125 yards on the ground, while wide receiver Drake London made history by surpassing Calvin Ridley’s record for the most receptions in Falcons history within a player’s first three seasons, closing the night with three catches totaling 53 yards.
In his first start of the season, Ridder struggled against a strong Falcons defense. Although he passed for 208 yards and secured a touchdown, he also faced two interceptions. He emphasized that while facing his former team was significant, it was more about the team’s performance than personal emotions. “We couldn’t find our rhythm until late in the game, and by then it was too little, too late,” Ridder reflected.
Despite the numerous injuries plaguing the Raiders, they managed to collect 249 total yards and remained competitive, having trailed by double digits in every game this season. Las Vegas defensive end Maxx Crosby was declared out for the remainder of the season due to ankle surgery, and they played without many of their starters, including rookie running back Sincere McCormick, who went down with an ankle injury early in the contest.
Even with these setbacks, the Raiders nearly pulled off a dramatic comeback. A late touchdown pass to Ameer Abdullah narrowed the score to six points, but a blocked extra point thwarted the momentum. After recovering the ball for a final push, the Raiders converted a crucial fourth-and-8 and attempted their last two shots at the end zone, but the game concluded without a switch in fortunes.
Next on the schedule for the Falcons is a home game against the New York Giants, while the Raiders will host the Jacksonville Jaguars.
